Scale for indicating standard-last measurements.



To all whom it may concern:

UNITED STATES I?ATENT OFFICE.

JOHN C. DIEFENBACI-I, 0F CINCINNATI, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE WHITEHEAD & HOAG COMPANY, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY.

SCALE FOR INDICATING STANDARD-LAST MEASUREMENTS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 25, 1911.

Application filed August 30, 1909. Serial No. 515,215.

Be it known that I, JOHN DInFnNnAcII, of Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton, in the State of Ohio, have invented new and usefulImprovements in Scales for Indicating Standard-Last Measurements, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to certain improvements in scales for indicating standard last measurements, such, for example. as the ball, Waist and instep measure ments of standard lengths and widths of shoes or other foot wear.

It is well known that the sizes of shoes, and, therefore, the lasts upon which the shoes are formed, are usually classified as boys Inens misses and ladies sizes, the various lengths of shoes of each class being designated by specific numerals, usually graduated in half sizes, the boys and mens lengths running in half sizes from 1 to 12 inclusive, while the misses sizes usually run from 11 to 13% inclusive and the ladies sizes from 1 to 7 inclusive. The widths of the shoes are usually defined by AA, A, i B )7, C G 7,, (4 D 7) and E.

In the manufacture of shoes at least three measurements are taken, one around the ball, another around the waist and another around the instep of the foot, and these measure ments are standardized for given lengths and widths of shoes for each specific class. For example, the ball, waist and instep measureanents for a last of a certain class and predetermined size and width will always be the same.

My object, therefore, is to provide a convenient pocket scale by which any one skilled or unskilled in the art may readily determine what measurements for the ball, waist and instep of the last are necessary for a predetermined length and Width of any class of shoe or last.

Another object is to inclose the rotary parts or disks Within a suitable case or sheathing to which said disks are pivoted, and to provide one edge of the sheath with suitable cutouts or finger openings extending beyond the peripheries of the disks to permit said disks to be rotated by pressure of the finger a ainst the periphery thereof.

Other objects and uses will be brought out in the following description:

In the drawings-Figure 1 is a front elcvation of a last measurement scale embodying the various features of my invention. Figs. 2 and 3 are respectively longitudinal and transverse sectional views taken on lines 22 and 33, Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a front face view of one of the detached disks.

The entire device is preferably made of such size as to be conveniently carried in the pocket of any ordinary garment and comprises a flat sheath or case -1- and one or more (in this instance two) rotary disks -2 and 3 which are centrally pivoted by suitable eyelets 4 to the front side of the sheath or casing 1, the centers of the disks bein located some distance apart, approximate y e ual to the combined radii of both disks, which, in this instance, are of substantially the same diameter, and, therefore, the distance between their centers is substantially equal to the diameter of one of the disks.

The sheath l is preferably made of a single sheet of comparatively thin, yet reasonably stiff, celluloid or equivalent material, folded along its longitudinal center upon itself and having its longitudinal edges adhesively, or otherwise, secured together forming a flat tubular casin open at both ends to conceal and protect tie greater portion of the disks and at the same time to enable the entire sheath or casing with the disks therein to be held in the hand so the disks may be readily rotated by the other hand. One of the longitudinal ed es (preferably the right hand edge when facing the front of the sheath) is provided with, in this instance, two cutouts 5 extending inwardly and radially toward the center of the disks and beyond their peripherial ed es so as to expose this portion of the disks or engagement by the finger to rotate said disks.

By folding the sheet which forms the easing in the manner described, it is evident that such casing is provided with a back piece and a front piece, which, together constitute a fiat supporting plate for the disks but are separated slightly to permit the free operation of said disks without undue friction, the pivotal eyelets 4t being, in this instance, passed through the front side only of the sheath.

Each disk is provided with a plurality of, in this instance three, concentric rows of numerals arranged in radial columns of substantially the same width, as best seen in Fig. 4. These concentric rows of numerals are arranged in sequence and in close juxtaposition some distance from the center and represent measurements around different portions of the. last. For example, the inner row of numerals represents measurements around the instep, the intermediate row represents measurements around the waist of the last, while the outer row represents the measurements around the ball of the last, as will be hereinafter more fully explained. Each disk is also provided with an inner concentric row of letters 9 representing various widths of lasts or shoes which are formed thereon, said row of letters being arranged within the innermost row of numerals and still some distance from the center, or axis of revolution of the disk.

The front side of the sheath -1 is formed with one or more, in this instance 2, circular openings -10 and 11, one for each disk, each 0 ening being of substantially the same ra ial width as the combined width of the several rows of numerals, while the length of each opening exceeds a half circle, or 180, but is less than a complete circle. The ends of the openings -10 and -11 terminate on radial lines some distance below the axes of their respective disks, leaving a circular tongue l2- integral with the front side of the sheath 1. The eyelets 4 are secured centrally to these circular tongues which are also provided near their upper edges with small circular sight openin s 13 throu h which the letters, as AA, A, B, D and E of the row -9 may be made visible as the disks are rotated. The front side of the sheath is also provided with one or more, in this instance two, circular rows -l4 and 15 of numerals running around the outer edges of the openings 10 and -11 in close roximity thereto and correspondin in widt to the width of radial columns 0 numerals of their respective disks.

The upper row 14.- of numerals is divided into two sets or classes, those of one set representing the lengths of what is commonly known as misses shoes, while those of the other set designate the length of ladies shoes, the words Misses and Ladies being marked opposite their respective sets. In like manner the row -1 5 of numerals is divided into two sets of classes, those of one set representing the length of boys shoes, and those of the other set mens shoes, which terms, Boys and Mens are also printed or otherwise impressed upon the front of the sheath in close proximity to their respective sets of numerals. Each of the tongues -l2 is provided with the word Width in close proximity to the sight openings 13 indicating, together with the letters which may be registered with said openings, the Widths of the last or shoe. At the end of each of the sight openings 10 and 11 and printed upon the front face of the sheath or casing 1, are the words Ball, \Vaist and Instep indicating respectively the measurements expressed by numerals in the outer, intermediate and inner circular rows 6, 7 and -8- upon the disks 2 and 3 The set of numerals representing the misses shoes, readin from left to right from the front face 0 the sheath 1--, is numbered consecutively in half sizes from 11 to 131} and 1 to 2%, while those of the set representing ladies shoes are numbered consecutively in half sizes from 3 to 7. In like manner the set of numerals for the boys sizes run from 1 to 6, while those corresponding to the mens sizes run from 7 to 12. Although I have specified the extreme limits of the lengths of shoes for various classes, it is evident that such limitations may be varied.

It will be observed that the letters representing the width of shoes are arranged in radial alinement with alternate radial columns of numerals on the disk, which allows the intervening columns of each disk to be registered with any one of the numerals of the outer row on the front of the sheath or casin to give the standard ball, waist, and instep measurements for such intervening widths.

In the operation of my invention, sup osing it is desired to ascertain the stan ard ball, waist and instep measurements for an AA width ladies shoe number 4, then by rotating the upper disk until the letters AA appear at the corresponding sight opening 13, it will be observed that the radial column of numerals alined with the numeral 4: of the outer row, reading from the outer row on the disk inwardly, will be 7, 6% and 7 1%, thus indicating in inches the standard measurements for the ball, waist and instep of a number 4 ladies shoe, AA width. In like manner the same standard measurements may be ascertained for either misses, boys or mens shoes for any width from AA to E, and for any length or number of shoe.

What I claim is A device for indicating standard measurements of shoe lasts comprising a support having disposed concentrically thereof means for indicating the different lengths of shoe lasts, said means in the form of nun'lbers, said support further having below said means an aperture and in proximity to said means a relatively wide concentric sight opening, and a shiftable disk pivoted to the inner face of said support and provided with a. series of parallel circular rows of numbers exposable through said opening, each number of one row associating with the adjacent numbers of the other rows, the associating numbers constituting a radiallydisposed set of numbers and indicating respectively ball, waist and instep measurements for a certain length and width of last when the disk is shifted to position a set to register with a length indication simultaneously with the exposure of a width indication through said aperture, and said disk further provided with a concentric row of letters to indicate widths of lasts each independently exposable through said aperture.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 12th day of August, 190%).

JOHN G. DIEFENBACH.

\Vitnesses:

WALTER A. KNIGHT, A. L. TILDESLEY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

